Chapter 5
An uncomfortable tension hung in the air between them, charged with an intimacy that went beyond sibling affection
Anyone watching would’ve assumed they were lovers
Sloan felt like the intruder–the other woman coming between them. Her gaze dropped to her arm, where faint scars trailed down her skin
All those years ago, Wyatt had said he just wanted to know what it felt like to have a real home So she had learned how to cook. How to keep their home clean. She had tried to make their house feel warm and inviting
At first, Wyatt had been touched. He would bandage her cuts, kiss her wounds and tell her to be careful. But over time, his kindness faded. Eventually, he started telling her not to bother cooking because he’d be working late
She hadn’t seen this tender side of him in a long time.
Maybe it was her burning gaze that made Wyatt finally notice her standing there. He tensed slightly and set Carol’s foot down, his tone soft as he explained, “Sloan? Why are you come down? The doctor said massaging the ankle would help with the pain.”
Sloan barely keeping a laugh escaping from her at how pathetic that excuse sounded. The house was full of staff. There was no reason for him to be the one tending to Carol personally.
Before she could say anything, Carol let out a breathy whimper. “Ow! Wyatt, you’re hurting
me.”
Her voice was soft and pleading. Wyatt’s attention immediately shifted back to her. Sloan’s nails dug into her palms, the sting doing nothing to dull the ache in her chest. Carol ended up staying the night. Even though Wyatt had promised to never let anyone else into their home. But of course, how could he turn away from the delicate rose he had nurtured so carefully?
After all, Sloan was starting to feel like the outsider here.
Night fell.
Sloan lay in bed, unable to sleep.
Wyatt finally returned hours later, slipping into bed beside her. But just as he settled in, his phone buzzed. He sat up abruptly, shut off the ringer and checked his messages.
The glow from the screen reflected the curve of his lips. Whatever he was reading had clearly put him in a good mood..
Sloan’s eyes narrowed in the darkness.
Sensing her gaze, Wyatt tucked the phone away and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Sorry, Sloan. Did I wake you? Work’s been crazy. I need to head to the study to take care
1/2 $2.09
07:53 Sun, 30 Mar
Night fell.
Sloan lay in bed, unable to sleep.
90%)
Wyatt finally returned hours later, slipping into bed beside her. But just as he settled in, his phone buzzed. He sat up abruptly, shut off the ringer and checked his messages.
The glow from the screen reflected the curve of his lips. Whatever he was reading had clearly put him in a good mood.
Sloan’s eyes narrowed in the darkness.
Sensing her gaze, Wyatt tucked the phone away and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Sorry, Sloan. Did I wake you? Work’s been crazy. I need to head to the study to take care
of some work. You’re pregnant–you should get more rest. I’ll come back to bed once I’m done.”
Sloan murmured, “Okay.”
Wyatt waited until her breathing evened out before slipping out of bed.
Once he was gone, Sloan’s eyes shot open. She followed him.
Wyatt didn’t stop at the study. He walked past it and headed to the guest room.
After a brief pause, the door creaked open. A pale hand shot out and caught the front of his tie, pulling him inside.
A flash of black lace peeked from beneath the robe as Carol wrapped her leg around his waist, her tone teasing and seductive. “What’s wrong? You don’t like this outfit? Or…” Her eyes glinted mischievously. “Would you prefer the bunny costume?
