18. Sloan

CHAPTER 18

Sloan

"D o you think we should ride it again since we didn't actually see anything along the path?" Sloan asks, laughing softly.

"It's a hayride on a farm. I think we can figure out what it would have looked like."

"Probably."

"Hiya, ladies," Barker says, appearing behind them as if someone conjured him from thin air. "How was the ride?"

Daisy and Sloan respond simultaneously.

"Wonderful! Such a lovely location."

"It was great! You have a beautiful farm here."

He smiles brightly back at them. "Glad to hear it. Don't forget to get a cider sample—it's ciderific!"

Sloan and Daisy pass a glance and share a smirk. "We won't forget," Sloan responds, holding in a laugh. "Before we go try the cider, though, I need to make a stop at the little witches' room. Where would I find it?"

"It's around the corner of the gift shop building over there," Barker says, pointing to a red and brown building across the way.

"Great. I'll be right back," she says. As she steps away, she sees Stanley bounding toward Daisy and Barker, fur bouncing in the wind as he gallops joyfully toward his owner.

She finds the bathroom without issue and takes a peek inside the gift shop as she passes it on her way back to Daisy. The shop is bustling with families as they peruse various baked goods and little decorative trinkets lining the walls.

Her family was not one to come to these venues when she was young, as it would be seen as too common for them. She'd never heard of this place before, but she can see the appeal. The fall harvest is a wonderful time within both human and supernatural communities as it signals a period of bounty and connection as people prepare for the winter ahead. The hayride on the itinerary this morning seemed like an interesting choice, but it makes sense. They'll have to ask about what's happening in the area when their event is taking place, but looking around, she thinks this would be a great place to have their attendees come to as a little extension of their event.

As she approaches Daisy, Barker, and Stanley, she looks down and notices her shoelace has come untied. She stops a short distance away from them and bends down to tie it. As she does, she overhears the end of their conversation.

"I would love a chance to take you out some time," Barker says. "And Stanley here would be happy to see you again too." His hand finds the top of Stanley's head, ruffling his fur. The dog looks up at Barker adoringly.

"I… I…" Daisy stammers. Sloan looks up and sees her fiddling with the sleeve of her sweater. "That would be nice."

‘That would be nice'? Really?

Barker pulls his phone from his back pocket and hands it to Daisy. "Here, put your number in my phone. I'll text you, and we can make a plan." Daisy takes his phone and appears to enter her number before handing it back to him. "Great to meet you, Daisy," Barker says before patting Stanley on the head again and walking away with an extra pep in his step.

Sloan stands, feeling her body flood with magic. She gives it a shake, and it clears. Daisy isn't yours, she reminds herself. She's allowed to date other people. She doesn't even know you're interested. Or might be interested. She doesn't trust you anyway.

"Good to go?" Daisy asks as Sloan approaches.

"Yep," she replies sharply.

Daisy's eyes catch hers as she quirks an eyebrow. The oceans of blue watch her curiously and intently. Like they know Sloan's jealous. Like they know Sloan thinks it shouldn't be Barker asking Daisy out, but her. She can't know, though. Can she?

"You sure?"

"Yep. We need to be back at the hotel for lunch, so let's go find the bus," Sloan replies, her words clipped as she tries to avoid further conversation.

"Okay. Whatever you say," Daisy replies, looking slightly bewildered.

Arriving back at The Dandelion, Daisy and Sloan are greeted by Flo, who guides them to the restaurant for their planned lunch.

"Welcome back. We hope you enjoyed the experience at Dee-lightful Farms this morning. It is one of our favorite locations for an adventure on a nice fall day."

"Yes, it was lovely," Sloan responds. "Thank you."

Flo pulls out the chair for Sloan, then picks up the folded cloth napkin on the table and lays it across Sloan's lap for her. She moves over to Daisy and repeats the process. Once seated, she stands between them at the side of the table. Flo lists off the menu options, but all Sloan can think about is Barker and how he was smiling after he got Daisy's number. Her mind wanders to what they may do on their date and if they would end up sleeping together. She tries to remind herself that her and Daisy aren't a couple, but all she wants to do is go back to that Dee-Lightful Farm and show him how delightful she can be.

When her attention comes back to the table, Daisy is staring at Flo, eyes wide with surprise. Sloan apparently should have been paying more attention to Flo, and from the looks of it, whatever Flo listed off may have been too much for Daisy. Daisy quickly collects herself and orders herself water and a white wine. Thinking she needs a glass of wine herself, Sloan does the same.

"That was a lot," Daisy says, looking around the table. "I guess they don't do menus, and it's whatever the options are that she listed off."

"It would appear so," Sloan replies. "Can you remind me what the options were?" she asks, trying to stop the heat rising up her neck. She was always a model student, and her job is about paying close attention to detail, so missing a simple detail like what she could choose to eat is embarrassing.

Daisy laughs playfully and repeats the options for her. "I wonder what the alternative would be if someone were vegetarian or vegan?"

"Guess they have to find some dandelions in the field to eat. Hey, do you think that's why they called it The Dandelion? Because you have to eat dandelions if you don't like what they serve?" Sloan asks. It's a dumb joke, barely even a joke, really, but it still earns her a slight smile from Daisy, making her heart skip in delight.

"Perhaps," Daisy replies before lifting the collar of her sweater and covering her mouth, failing to hide a fuller smile with it as she leans back in her chair. The action causes a blossom of warmth to form in Sloan's chest. These little, genuine smiles are hard to come by, and Sloan is proud to have earned one, especially given how the day started with their little argument in the street. "So, what were you thinking of getting?"

Leaning forward and resting her forearms on the table, Sloan answers, "I was thinking of the wedge salad and scallops. What about you?"

"I think I'll do the soup and the braised short rib."

"I love soup in the fall."

Daisy's eyes meet hers, warm and comforting. "You should get it then. We've been in the chill for a bit. I know I could use some warming up."

I could warm you up. Sloan's eyes flash wide briefly, but she recovers before Daisy notices. Where did that come from? she asks herself. Like you don't know.

"Here are your drinks, ladies. Have you decided on your meal selections?" Flo asks as she deposits their orders on the table.

"Yes," Daisy responds. She relays her choices and then motions to Sloan for her turn. Sloan follows Daisy's suggestion and opts for the soup rather than the salad. Once Flo has left, Sloan folds her hands into her lap while crossing one leg over the other under the table and turns her body toward Daisy. "So, tell me about these plans you have so far for this community event."

Daisy's features burst into a smile as she begins sharing her plans. Sloan is held captive by the passion in Daisy's tone and how her eyes are alight with life, the most she has seen in the past twenty-four hours. It's intoxicating. The energy Daisy gives off as she explains she wants to host a weekend community retreat that fosters relationship-building among members has Sloan's magic buzzing under her skin. She moves a hand forward without thinking and clasps Daisy's hand in hers. Daisy stops speaking instantly, taken aback by the contact. Sloan pulls back immediately. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that. I was so engrossed in what you were saying. It sounds like you have this off to a great start, and I can't wait to hop in and see how we can truly make it shine."

Daisy's eyes narrow as the light in her eyes vanishes and is replaced with suspicion. Shit. "You don't think it shines already? I've worked my ass off these past couple of weeks."

Sloan leans back, putting space between them, hoping it helps Daisy to feel less defensive. Less trapped. "That's not what I meant, and you know it. We could do wonders together with your planning and my connections. We could truly make this event something to talk about."

"And you don't think I can do that on my own? That's what you're saying. You think it wouldn't be good enough as it is."

"No. I think what you have already is great, but we could make it even more so," Sloan replies, trying to ease the tension.

"Because it couldn't be great without you and your precious connections," Daisy scoffs.

Flo arrives with their meals and does her best to avoid addressing the thick tension surrounding their table. "Here you go. Please let me know if there is anything else we can help you with."

"Thank you," Sloan responds, pulling up a fake smile of appreciation as Flo steps back, turns, and walks away. With Flo gone, Sloan takes a breath and carefully says, "I didn't mean to upset you. I'm very appreciative of the work you have done on your own—despite being instructed to work together and you doing everything you can to avoid that, I might add. You've made a great choice with The Dandelion. However, we need to work together to succeed, and I think we both have skill sets that could benefit this project. I want you to include me. I want to be included. I want to have a civil conversation about how we can make this successful—together."

Sloan finishes with what she thinks is a calm and rational statement, only to look back at Daisy and almost see sparks shooting out from her head. "I knew you would make this all about you and how you're better than me. That was why I tried to do this on my own. You need to stop trying to force this. I don't think this partnership will work." Daisy picks her napkin off her lap, tossing it on the table as she stands. "I've lost my appetite," she says, walking away from the table.

Sloan sighs. "Well, that went about as well as a backfired hex," she says to herself, cutting into a scallop and popping it in her mouth.

* * *

Sloan opens the door to their room, expecting it to be empty. Except what she sees is Daisy's bag lying on the bed and Daisy pacing back and forth beside it.

"I have to go. I have to go," Daisy repeats to herself, hands running up and down the back of her neck in frustration. "But I can't go. If I leave, this all falls apart."

Sloan clears her throat. Daisy stops and turns. A flash of something resembling embarrassment crosses her eyes, but the fire of a thousand cauldrons quickly replaces it.

"Can we talk about what happened back there?"

"No," Daisy responds with barely contained anger as she picks up a pair of socks and tosses them in her bag.

"Why not?"

"Because there's no need. You'll never stop thinking you're better than me, and I'll never stop seeing you as the witch who tried to ruin my life."

Her words land like hellfire on Sloan's skin. While it's been less than twenty-four hours together, she thought she had made some tiny bit of headway with breaking through Daisy's fortress. She was mistaken.

"You're right. I didn't do anything to try and stop Franny and Gwen when we were younger. I take full responsibility for that. But I think I deserve a second chance."

Daisy spins, eyes ablaze, "Oh, do you? You think you deserve a second chance to ruin my life? To destroy everything I have worked so hard for? To take away any chance I have at proving to this stupid fucking town that I'm worthy of being here. Worthy of existing."

Sloan steps toward Daisy. Slowly. Cautiously. Afraid that too quick of a movement will send her running. She's within arm's reach when she says, "No. I want a chance to show you I am not that scared teenager anymore. I was terrified of going against what people expected of me. I would have rather leaped into a burning lake than tell those dumb witches to give it a fucking rest. I never thought that you deserved that treatment, but our families did. Oh, our families hated yours and what your parents did. All we heard about was how your parents targeted innocent supernaturals and humans alike and how they caused so much harm. How they were the scum on the bottom of our broomsticks. I had no fucking choice! " Sloan watches as her words land. Daisy's expression falters slightly, softening just enough that Sloan can tell she's making sense. "I had to follow along if I wanted to make it out." Her eyes cast down to Daisy's plump lips, waiting for the next rebuttal. Daisy's tongue glides slowly along her lips. As much as Sloan knows Daisy doesn't lick her lips for Sloan, the action still sends ripples of heat through her as her mind wonders what she tastes like.

"All I hear from any of that is that you were too chickenshit to stand up to your stupid prissy friends. Instead, you let them—" Daisy's tired tirade is cut short as Sloan's hands roughly grasp Daisy's arms and pull her against her own body. Her hands clasp the side of Daisy's face before she has a chance to hesitate, and then her mouth is on Daisy's. Their lips meet forcefully, backed by an unwavering need to taste her.

Oh, goddess. What the fuck have I done?

As panic rampages through Sloan's brain and time slows to a crawl, she feels Daisy relax into the kiss and respond. Her head tilts to the side, allowing better access, and her mouth opens, welcoming Sloan in. Daisy's arms wrap around her, and her hands work unhurried and uncertainly into Sloan's hair. Daisy's fingers curl into Sloan's hair, grasping it and tugging lightly as her tongue meets Sloan's, sending shockwaves of heat to her core.

Witches' tits. She is perfection.

Sloan keeps one hand on the back of Daisy's head while the other roams down her body, hungrily feeling every curve. She presses up against Daisy, relishing how their bodies meld together like they were meant for each other and memorizing how Daisy feels against her in case she never feels it again.

The kiss ends as quickly as it was initiated. Daisy releases her hold and pushes Sloan away. Flustered and flushed, Daisy glares at Sloan, moving to the other side of the bed and putting space between them. "What the fuck was that?"

"I needed you to shut up. I needed you to hear me." That was probably the wrong thing to say.

"So you kissed me?" she asks incredulously.

"It was the only thing I could think to do."

Daisy huffs. "Seriously, I can't. I just can't."

"You can't what?" Sloan asks, stepping toward her.

Daisy steps back, trying to keep the distance between them. "I can't do this with you."

"Why?" Sloan says, stepping toward her again, causing Daisy to step back, hitting her back against the wall. Lowering her voice seductively, she continues, "There is clearly some tension between us. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to let it out. Maybe if you get out of your head for a few minutes, you could think clearly and see how good this partnership could be."

Sloan stands toe-to-toe with Daisy. Daisy's chest rises rapidly as her breathing changes. Her eyes dip down briefly to Sloan's lips as she licks them.

Sloan takes the small step needed to close the gap between them, placing a foot between Daisy's, making room for her thigh to press against Daisy's core as she leans in. She whispers in Daisy's ear while a hand trails her arm. "I could make you forget about everything bouncing around in that beautiful head of yours."

Daisy swallows.

Sloan's lips find the crook of Daisy's neck. She lightly kisses the soft skin, breathing deeply, taking in the scent of cherry and almond. Daisy's head tilts to the side as she releases a small whimper. "See. I think you need some tension release." Sloan's hand stops at Daisy's breast, cupping it gently as she runs a thumb over the peaked nipple she can feel through Daisy's bra and shirt. Daisy pushes her chest into Sloan's hand as her hips press firmly against Sloan's thigh.

Leaning into the contact, Sloan adjusts her thigh, providing more pressure. The way Daisy's body fits against hers is perfection as if they were meant for each other.

Daisy's hands land on Sloan's shoulders as she nips at Daisy's neck, groaning into Sloan's ear. Goddess, that sound is intoxicating. She nips her neck again, earning another groan, and it sends a pool of heat to Sloan's already wet pussy. Fucking hell. This was not her intent when she came up here to talk, but if it helps to get Daisy to see reason and to finally let her in, she'll fucking take it.

"Sloan," Daisy whimpers.

"Yes, darling?"

"We…" Daisy says, her breath hitching as Sloan's hand moves from Daisy's breast down her stomach to the top of her pants and slides inside the front of them. She swallows.

"Tell me to stop, and I will." Sloan's hand finds the apex of Daisy's thighs and slides a finger down her seam. "You're so wet for me."

Daisy pushes off the wall toward Sloan, making her step back awkwardly, creating a small space between them. She pulls Sloan's hand from her pants. "No. Stop. We shouldn't. We can't."

The rejection stings. But she raises her finger to her mouth and tastes them, licking Daisy's wetness from them. Sloan's head tilts back, her eyes closing in pleasure. Holy fucking Hecate, she's delicious. "I think you want to, but you're scared. I'm not what you should be scared of."

Daisy's eyes widen at Sloan. "We have yoga," she says, her voice turning breathy and strained before she grabs her bag off the bed and launches herself into the bathroom, closing the door quickly behind her and locking it.