Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

S loan placed her hand over mine then lowered them both to her lap. Something shifted in her expression, and she seemed almost…nervous.

"Sloan? What's wrong?"

When she glanced up at me, she was smiling. " Acta non verba."

I nodded, repeating, " Acta non verba ." Exactly.

"I also might have done something…" She gnawed on her lip. "I wasn't planning to spring it on you quite like this, but I talked to my brother, and we want to hire you to oversee all security operations at the Huxley Grand brand."

"Graham?" I asked, surprised that he'd agree.

I mean, holy shit. They wanted to hire me? To oversee all security operations of Huxley Grand worldwide? It was enough to make my head spin.

"Yeah." Sloan tilted her head. "Why?"

I rubbed the back of my neck, trying not to get too excited about what she was offering me. "I don't get the impression that Graham is my biggest fan."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I met him once when we were together. Remember? At your apartment."

"Oh my god. I almost forgot about that." She laughed. "I can't believe I forgot. I almost introduced you as my boyfriend and blew the whole secret."

I debated telling her this, but I felt like she should know. "Graham is actually the one who told me the truth about your family—and your future role in the hotel empire."

She jerked her head back. "He…what?" It came out as more of a shriek, and I debated telling her the rest. I didn't want to drive a wedge between Sloan and her brother.

"I think he suspected something between us. He made it clear that I had no place in your future."

Sloan reached for her phone, likely to give her brother a piece of her mind. I placed my hand over hers, stopping her. "He was just looking out for you. I would've done the same for Greer."

"You're not pissed about this? Because I am."

"I understand where he was coming from. And at the time, his comments definitely played into my insecurities. But that's on me, not him."

She bared her teeth. "I could…"

"Sloan," I said, bringing her hand to my mouth for a kiss. "It's not worth it. And if he agreed to hiring me, that has to mean something, right?"

"With Graham, it's hard to tell. But yeah, I'd say that's a good sign." She shook her head as if to clear it. "Has he ever said anything to you about it? About us."

I shook my head. "No. But I'm positive he remembers."

Sloan nodded. "I understand if that complicates things for you. But I hope you'll consider accepting the position. We want you to be our COS."

"Chief of Sexy Times?" I joked, needing a minute to wrap my head around the enormity of this offer. I'd never expected to find another job so soon, let alone one at such a high level.

She rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "Chief of Security. You have the experience. You know our vulnerabilities. And you'd be perfect for the role."

"I'm honored, truly," I said. "And surprised."

"Because of Graham?"

"Yeah, and because it's just…" I lifted a shoulder. "I never imagined myself in a role like that. That would be a huge advance for my career."

"A well-deserved one," she said. "I would've told you sooner, but I was waiting for the board's approval."

I was stunned. She'd done this for me. For us. Because she believed in me and our future.

This job, the opportunity to be the chief of security for such a large organization, was a dream come true. It would be a lot of responsibility, sure. But it was also an exciting challenge that would allow me to make meaningful change.

I leaned in, both honored and turned on by what she'd done. "What if I want to be the Chief of Sucking Your Clit?"

She swatted at me. "That's too many letters."

I captured her hand and held it to my chest. "Chief of Sloan's Heart."

"Still too many letters." She grinned. "But, yes. You're the chief of my heart, and I want us to be together, whether that's in London or New York or even Los Angeles. I got the board to agree that the position could be based in any of those locations, and I would push to relocate if that's what you want."

I jerked my head back, in awe of this woman and what she'd done. I was filled with so much happiness at that moment, I thought I might burst. To hear Sloan say those words. To know that she'd put this in place for us to be together.

"I know this is a lot—fast," she said. "So I understand if you need some time to think about it—the job and where you'd want to live."

"Are you kidding?" I cupped her cheek. "Yes. My answer is yes."

"We can start off living in the same city or?—"

"The same city?" I barked out a laugh, cutting her off before she could say something even more ridiculous. "Sloan, hayati , I want to move in together. I love that you did this for us, and I absolutely want to be together. Wherever that is."

"Don't you want to know what your salary will be?" she teased.

"I'm sure it will be more than enough." I nuzzled her. "All that matters is that we'll be together."

"We'll be together." Her voice was filled with wonder. "Together." She grinned, and then she kissed me. It felt like a promise. Like a fresh start.

"What about your family? Our relationship?" I asked.

"We'll have to disclose it to my family and the board, but I think they'll approve."

"Of us or my new role?" I was anxious to hear her answer.

"Both." She smiled. "I know one person who will be particularly happy about the news."

I dragged a hand over my head, smiling at the thought. "Brooklyn." She nodded. "How did I get so lucky?" I pulled her close.

"Mm. How did we get so lucky?"

I kissed Sloan's neck, on the verge of breaking my promise to Vaughn.

But even as distracted as I was by Sloan, I kept an eye on our surroundings. Our table was in a secluded alcove that faced the ocean, but we were still in a public place. Thanks to the walls of the alcove, we were hidden from security cameras, but the waitstaff could come by at any time.

"Since you quit your job, does that mean we can have sex now?" she joked.

I chuckled. "No. I promised my boss there wouldn't be any more infractions —" I gave her a meaningful look full of heat "—until after the trip had concluded. "

She groaned, covering her face with her hands. "I can't believe you told your boss we slept together."

"It's not like I told him that you like it when I bite your nipples," I rasped against the shell of her ear, my already hard cock pressing against my zipper. "Or how you like it when I pinch your clit."

"Jackson." She shuddered.

I smoothed my hand up her thigh. "I bet if I slid my hand between your legs, you'd be wet for me. Wouldn't you?"

"I-I—" She gulped. "Oh god."

"Tell me, Sloan." I traced the edge of her underwear, fully intending to stop. "You used to get off on the thrill of being caught. Do you still?"

Her chest rose and fell, and I knew she was barely holding on. Hell, I was right there with her. When I glanced down, her nipples were hard points against her dress.

Fuck me.

Unable to resist, I glided over the wet silk of her underwear, letting out a growl of satisfaction. Her body trembled beneath my touch, both of us aching for more.

"Fuck, baby. You're so wet for me." I continued teasing her clit, and I thought I might explode.

"Please, Jackson."

"Is that what you want?" I asked, slipping my hand beneath her underwear, sliding a finger into her. Sliding home.

"Yes," she gasped, gripping my thigh. "Yes," she said again, this time more insistent.

She was already close. So close. Keyed up from a week of torture and now this…knowing we were in public and could get caught.

"Come for me," I rasped against her neck before trailing kisses over her skin. "Come on my fingers like you want to come on my cock."

Sloan gasped and buried her face in my neck, stifling her sounds of pleasure. Her pussy clenched around my finger, and she bit me, sending sparks skittering down my spine. She was so sexy I almost came in my pants. And the sight of her coming apart was nearly my undoing.

When she sagged, I held her to me. I kissed her forehead, then withdrew my fingers. "You're so beautiful."

I brought my hand to my mouth, licking each of my fingers as she watched with a heated expression.

"Jackson…" She warned. "Don't start something unless you're prepared to finish it."

"Oh, I'm more than prepared." I placed her hand on my cock, letting her feel just how hard I was for her.

She squeezed my shaft, and I groaned into her hair. "Sloan."

Her phone buzzed, and she pulled away to check it. "It's Greer." She frowned down at the screen. "She's going to stay in the room. I think I should go check on her."

Talking about my sister effectively killed my desire. Not to mention the fact that Sloan was concerned about Greer, and so was I.

I sighed. "As soon as the waiter comes back, we can go."

"Yes," Sloan said, tapping out a reply to Greer. She handed me a bottle of hand sanitizer from her purse. Always prepared.

"Thanks," I said, handing it back to her after I'd cleaned my hands.

She signed for the check and thanked the waiter. I placed my hand on the small of her back, standing just behind her to hide my crotch as we crossed the lobby. She smirked at me over her shoulder.

We were alone in the elevator, and Sloan reapplied her lipstick and kept smoothing her hand over her hair. I was so damn tempted to crowd her against the wall and kiss her senseless, but I wouldn't. Not when our every move was being monitored by a security camera.

Since Sloan was one of the owners of the hotel, it was likely that her movements were followed closely by her staff. They wanted to anticipate her every move; they wanted to make her stay as wonderful as possible. Fortunately, the cameras didn't have audio.

"You look perfect." I maintained a neutral expression for anyone who might be watching the CCTV.

"Perfectly fucked," she muttered. "Wait until Greer sees me."

"Sloan." I waited until her eyes met mine in the reflection of the elevator doors. Yes, her lips were still swollen from my kisses. And her cheeks were red. But she'd also been drinking. "She probably won't even notice. But if she does, just tell her you ordered another drink after she left."

"Right." She swallowed. "Good idea." And then she dropped her head. "Ugh. I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to lie to Greer."

"So, let's tell her," I said. "It's not going to get any easier, and we can't put it off much longer. Not if we're going to live together."

"That sounds crazy, right?" But even as she said it, she was smiling.

"What sounds crazy," I said, "is wasting any more time."

I couldn't wait to start our new life together. To live together. To have no more secrets. To one day make her my wife.

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. Sloan unlocked the door to our suite, and I held it open for her. She brushed against me as she walked past, the scent of wild roses and sunshine lingering in the air.

Such a tease.

"You're sure?" she asked, and I sensed her nerves.

"One hundred percent." I hoped my confidence would reassure her that we were doing the right thing.

"We're back," Sloan called.

"Hey," Greer said, returning to the living room. "Sorry for ditching you."

"Is everything okay?" Sloan asked.

"The kids wanted to tell me about their day, that's all."

"Oh. Good." Sloan twisted her bracelets, a nervous habit. "But they're good?"

"They're great." Greer's smile was full of love.

"Great. Um—" Sloan cleared her throat. "Jackson and I have something we need to tell you."

"Okay," Greer said, taking a seat. "What's going on? You're making me nervous."

Sloan shifted on her feet. "I, um—" She turned to me, her expression pinched. "I don't know if I can do this."

"Do what?" Greer glanced between us, confusion marring her features.

I knew this was it—the point of no return. There'd be no going back after this. I took a deep breath. "Sloan and I are together."

Greer blinked a few times. "Together? As in…"

I stepped closer to Sloan, sliding my arm around her waist. She felt so right in my arms. In my life.

"Oh." Greer dragged out the word. "Oh! You're… Wow. Okay."

Sloan tensed, and I braced myself for something more.

"Okay?" I asked after a minute. "That's it?"

"I'm…still processing. Jeez." She rolled her eyes.

Sloan took a seat next to Greer. Sloan's voice shook when she spoke. "You know that my relationship with you is so, so important to me. You have been there for me through everything."

"And you've always been there for me," Greer said with a watery smile, patting Sloan's hand.

"I hope…" Sloan wiped away a tear. "I know you were opposed to the idea of Jackson and me in the past, but I hope—" her breath hitched "—you can be happy for us. Because we're so happy together."

Greer said nothing, silently considering. She hadn't lashed out, which was good. But I didn't know what to think of her reaction.

She turned to me, narrowing her eyes. "You better not break her heart."

I didn't blink. Didn't flinch. Didn't look away. "I love Sloan, and I'm not going anywhere."

"Love?" Greer blinked a few times. " Love? You love her?" I nodded, and she turned to Sloan, who smiled and nodded as well.

"We love each other," Sloan said.

Greer's eyes looked as if they might bug out of her head. "This is a lot to take in," she said, clearly shocked by the news. "But I guess I should've realized it was serious if you decided to tell me."

Sloan caught my eye, casting me an anxious glance.

"But—" Greer frowned. "You just got out of a relationship with Edward," she said to Sloan. "I want to be happy for you, but aren't you moving a little fast?"

"Ah. Um…" Sloan glanced to her lap.

"Jackson?" Greer looked to me for answers.

"Sloan and I…" I drew in a deep breath, hoping this wouldn't ruin everything. "Sloan and I fell in love years ago, but the timing wasn't right."

"Years ago." Greer furrowed her brow. "Just exactly how long ago are we talking?"

"College," Sloan whispered.

"College?" Greer reared back. "You were…" She waved her arms before her. "Wait. What?" She stood and started pacing. Her questions came out rapid-fire. "When did it start? For how long? Were you together at my wedding?"

I finally explained the truth behind my discharge from the SEALs. A tear trickled down Greer's cheek, and I hated that she was hurting—because of me.

"Jackson." She shook her head. "I wish I'd known. I wish you'd told me."

"I just…" I blew out a breath. "At the time, I was so ashamed. I'm your big brother." Your hero.

"Leaving the SEALs wouldn't change that," she said. She gave me a hug, and I felt a wave of love and acceptance wash over me. "So after you were discharged you came to New York?"

I nodded. "I accepted a job as a bouncer. Sloan came to the club where I was working one night, and she made me tell her what was going on. After that, we started texting, but we were just friends at that point."

"At first, it was nothing. Jackson watched out for me. He offered to teach me self-defense."

Greer listened, and I couldn't get a read on her.

"Over time," I said, "we spent more time together. We fell in love."

"How much time?" Greer sank back onto the couch with a pinched expression. She rubbed her brow as if to ward off a headache. "How long were you sneaking around behind my back?"

Sloan winced. "I'm sorry we didn't tell you. We were going to, but then…everything fell apart."

"Wait." Greer straightened and turned to Sloan. "Was he your mystery man? Is Jackson the one who broke your heart?"

Sloan rolled her lips between her teeth and nodded. Greer gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. "And you had to…" She shook her head. "That's why you were such a wreck on my wedding day. I thought it was nerves."

"I hadn't seen Jackson in nearly a year at that point, and I didn't know how on earth I was going to face him."

"I wish you'd told me," Greer said with a sympathetic expression. "And you—" She turned to me with narrowed eyes.

Sloan swiped away a tear. "I know how important your relationship with Jackson is, and I never wanted to come between the two of you. I'm sorry, Greer."

"And I know how important Sloan is to you," I said. "And I refused to jeopardize your friendship. I'm sorry."

Greer's expression was contemplative, and Sloan gripped my hand. I knew she was concerned. Hell, I was worried how my sister would react.

Finally, Greer sighed. "So am I. I was young, and it was selfish of me to try to forbid you from seeing each other. At the time, I was still hurt about losing my high school friend, but I didn't think anything would come of my comment. I wish you'd talked to me sooner, but I guess I can understand why you didn't."

"You were justified for making that comment," I said. "I was young and selfish too, but I've matured. We all have."

"I still have so many questions," Greer said on a laugh.

"Like what?" Sloan asked, seeming to relax.

"Does Mom know? Or did she know?"

I shook my head. "No. I never told her."

"I can't believe you guys were able to keep it a secret for so long. How did I never catch you?"

"There were certainly a few close calls."

" Way too close," I said, thinking of a few of them.

"I feel like everything I ever knew is wrong," Greer said, but she was smiling. "I'm happy for you. Both of you."

Sloan smiled at me, clearly relieved. And then she leaned her head on Greer's shoulder. "Thanks for being so awesome."

I finally relaxed, knowing that we had my sister's support. Everything was finally falling into place. My relationship with Sloan. Our future. It was more than I could've hoped for.